Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters Uses and Applications

Kestrel® Library

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters & the Military (See more Kestrel applications)

Sniper Training & Operations
	Crosswind strongly influences the accuracy of sharpshooting, becoming the largest error component at long ranges. Even medium crosswind velocities (~5 m/sec) along the flight path of a bullet can cause 1 meter deviations at 500 meters. Temperature, humidity and density altitude also play a part in ballistics performance, and are incorporated into most advanced portable targeting computer applications. The Kestrel 4200, with its ability to accurately measure all of these parameters in a four-ounce, pocket-size package, is consistently on the military sniper's "most-wanted" list of desired equipment. The new Kestrel 4500 adds often requested crosswind calculation and wind direction.	Kestrel 4000

Drop Zone Safety

Every drop zone requires close monitoring of wind speeds by the DZSO. The Kestrel 1000 offers the simplest and most cost-effective solution for this need. Costing just $89 and featuring icon-based navigation to avoid language confusion, personnel can be taking accurate readings as soon as they reach the hilltop, with almost no training required. The Kestrel 4000 and Kestrel 4500 add the option to log readings with date and time stamp for later report preparation, as well as the ability to provide detailed ground weather reports (wind direction, crosswind, temperature, humidity, density altitude) to launch aircraft.

Kestrel 1000

Kestrel 4000

Kestrel 4500

Medic Support, Personnel Heat Stress & Exposure Monitoring in Training & Operations

Extreme conditions of heat and cold are a fact of military life. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters accurately measure temperature, humidity, heat stress, wet bulb temperature and wind chill, enabling good decision-making about work/rest periods, clothing, and hydration in both training and operations. Because a Kestrel is easy to carry and use, and requires no complex setup, personnel are more likely to take the measurements that will prevent accidents. For medics, automatic logging creates a reliable record of conditions for future report preparation.

K9 Operations - Search & Rescue, Mine Removal

Effective and safe K9 operations require close monitoring of the wind speed, temperature and humidity conditions in the area where the dogs are working. Military K9 handlers can carry a Kestrel 4000 in their pocket to enable them to know their conditions, wherever they are operating.

Kestrel 4000

Combat Weather

Weather personnel in all forces have come to rely on the Kestrel 4000 as a primary or backup meteorological instrument. Unmatched for accuracy and capability in its size and price range, the Kestrel 4000 and new Kestrel 4500 measure virtually every critical weather parameter in the field or aboard ship with no setup required. Combat weathermen, in particular, find the Kestrel a critical tool in forward ground combat scenarios due to its extreme portability and virtually instant deployability.

Kestrel 4500

Expeditionary Flight Operations

The Kestrel 4000 and Kestrel 4500 are complete weather systems ideal for forward basing or lake bed flight operations. Both cell-phone sized units measure wind speed and the 4500 gives wind direction and calculates crosswind, headwind and tailwind automatically. They also measure density altitude, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure, and log measurements over time for future reference and trend analysis. Even where CWX personnel are not available, troops on the ground equipped with a Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker can provide needed landing zone weather data.

Kestrel 4000

Kestrel 4500

NBC & HAZMAT Response

Wind speed and direction, together with temperature, humidity and air density, all impact the behavior and spread of a nuclear, biological, chemical or hazardous material release. The new Kestrel 4500, together with a lightweight Tripod Vane Mount, measures every parameter required for plume prediction and packs down to a case the size of a small paperback book.

Kestrel 4500

HVAC & Space Conditions Monitoring

Civil Engineering specialties and ratings can use field-proven Kestrel technology to make their job easier indoors. The Kestrel 4100 measures and logs air velocity, air flow (CFM), temperature, humidity and dewpoint as well as heat index and wind chill. The ideal portable, durable, waterproof instrument to use while commissioning and verifying performance on HVAC/R systems critical to personnel comfort and efficient energy usage.

Kestrel 4100

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Ground weather is critical information when launching and recovering UAV's. The pocket-sized Kestrel 4000 can gather and log the full complement of data needed — wind speed, maximum wind gust, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and density altitude. No matter how isolated the UAV operators, they'll have the information they need to make sure their valuable aircraft will complete its mission safely and be ready to fly again.

Kestrel 4000

Thermal Imaging (FLIR) Systems

Relative humidity and ambient temperature affect the transmissivity of the air and impact the effectiveness of forward looking infrared cameras or thermal imaging systems. Many commonly used systems require user input of these parameters for most accurate results. Kestrel meters offer a lightweight, on-the-spot solution for measuring these and other relevant conditions instantly and accurately. The Kestrel's patented humidity sensor configuration yields unmatched accuracy and response speed in an instrument this size and price.

FAQs

Get the answer to this and other questions at NK's:

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters & the Military Brochure (PDF)

Does the Kestrel measure WBGT?
Not Yet*. We are currently in the testing beta phases of Kestrels that will measure "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature". There are currently numerous Kestrel models display the NWS Heat Stress Index as well as the Web Bulb Temperature. These values, combined with a common sense evaluation of the impact of the sun, provide excellent guidance on the dangers of heat stress or exhaustion and the need for hydration.

How does the Kestrel 4500's crosswind calculator work?
The 4500 features a built-in digital compass that allows you to measure the wind speed and direction. In order to display the crosswind, simply point the Kestrel down the runway or target and set the reference heading. Then hold the 4500 into the wind and it automatically calculates the crosswind with respect to the reference heading. It also calculates the headwind/tailwind the same way (headwinds are positive values and tailwinds are negative).

What's so great about the Kestrel impeller?
The Kestrel impeller measures 1 inch across, and turns on a Swiss precision pivot mounted on low friction Zytel® bearings. Its large size ensures accurate readings even if pointed off-angle from the wind, and its very low start-up speed allows measurement of the lightest puffs of wind. If damaged, a new calibrated impeller can be purchased for $19 and popped in without tools, restoring like-new performance.

Can the Kestrel 4000 communicate directly with a PDA or computer?
Yes! Each Kestrel in the 4000-series can be built with Bluetooth™ and can communicate with PCs, PDAs, and smartphones. Currently the Kestrel Communicator software only works on PC but there are several applications for PDA and smartphone that have been modified or created to capture data from a Kestrel that has been paired to the mobile device. Please refer to our Software Partners page for more information about these apps.

What's that curly looking thing?
That's the patented Kestrel temperature sensor. Unlike most watches and other products with temperature measurement, the Kestrel sensor is outside the case to ensure it measures the air, not your hand or pocket. The "curls" serve to further isolate the temperature sensor from the effects of the case temperature.

How does the Kestrel measure humidity so accurately?
The Kestrel features a patented dual temperature sensor configuration for rapid response and accurate measurement. Every Kestrel is calibrated against NIST-traceable standards, and can be recalibrated in the field with the Kestrel RH kit.

How does the Kestrel measure altitude?
The Kestrel uses an atmospheric pressure sensor and calculates altitude based on a standard atmosphere. This is just like the altimeter in an airplane, or an altimeter watch. It's more accurate than a GPS altimeter, but does require periodic reset of the reference pressure to eliminate weather effects.

How does the altimeter work? Is the reference pressure the same as an altimeter setting?
The Kestrel models with altimeter calculate altitude from barometric pressure in exactly the same manner and according to the same rules as an aircraft altimeter. The "reference pressure" on the Altitude screen is the same as the altimeter setting obtained from a local airfield.

Can the Kestrel provide location?
Currently we do not offer a Kestrel with GPS. We may add basic GPS location to a future Kestrel model, but we'll leave the full-blown mapping and navigation to the companies that specialize in GPS as much as we specialize in weather.

Do you really mean MADE in the USA?
Yes. The entire Kestrel line is designed and built in the USA. Some electronic components have to be sourced overseas these days, but we buy American wherever we can.

Who do I call if I have a problem?
You call us! From our Customer Service Representatives to the President of the company, we all answer the phone and know these products inside and out. If you have a problem, we'll fix it. Kestrels hardly ever break, but if they do, they're covered by a 5-year warranty.